Both chronic hepatitis B and Chronic hepatitis C are liver infections caused by viruses. According to the Hepatitis Foundation
International, Hepatitis B viruses (HBV) and Hepatitis C viruses (HCV) have infected 520 million people worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B &
C are long-term hepatic infections, which could lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, even liver cancer.
The incidence of HCV infection in the UK is about 0.1%, though it is much higher in other parts of the world. Chronic HCV infection
affects an estimated 170 million individuals worldwide, with most countries reporting a prevalence of 1.0% to 4.9%. Currently,
approximately 40% - 60% of chronic liver diseases are attributable to HCV. The UK Health Protection Agency's annual reports on HCV
estimates that in England and Wales:
Hepatitis B is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Each year, about 500,000 to 700,000 people worldwide die from
conditions related to HBV infection (WHO, 2004). Hepatitis B Foundation UK estimates that currently there are more than 325,000
people in the UK with chronic HBV infection. Given factors such as under-reporting, the figure could be even higher.
HBV and HCV infections are also prevalent throughout China, accounting for the increased cases of hepatocellular carcinoma among
Chinese population.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a rich history in treating chronic hepatitis, which can be traced back to thousands of years
ago. Studies have shown that herbal formulas can strengthen the immune system, reduce viral loads, prevent chronic viral hepatitis
from developing into even more serious conditions, like fibrosis, cirrhosis, or cancer, and protect liver from further degeneration. In a
summary of Chinese language publications, (1) it was reported that an open trial of 2,000 hepatitis (B or C) patients using various TCM
methods showed improvement of symptoms in 83% and normalization of serum ALT in 82%. In a controlled study of 107 patients with
hepatitis-B related diseases, before and after liver biopsies showed that the fibrosis reversal rate following 6 months treatment with
Compound 861 (a formula of ten herbs including salvia as a main ingredient) was 78% in stage 2, 82% in stage 3 (precirrhotic stage) and
75% in Stage 4 (early cirrhosis).
Patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C usually approach practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine with the hope of finding an
alternative to the standard medical treatments. In addition, they usually hope to cure the disease. Anecdotal reports from one of the
largest Western medicine hepatology practices in San Francisco suggest that at least 20-30% of patients report use of Chinese herbal
medicine for hepatitis. (2) Also, Ninety percent of chronic hepatitis sufferers in Japan are taking herbal preparation, some 1.5 million
people.
Just like mosquitoes, instead of making water stop flowing, only find themselves a smooth surface of water to stay, bacteria only try
to find a place suits them to grow - some morbid tissue, rather than cause such a place, though they could make this place worse. It
is the same with virus. Conventional medicine solely focuses on eradicating virus itself, ignorant of the fact that it is a complicated
problem affects different systems. On the contrary, Chinese herbal medicine does not kill virus directly, in stead, it treats our body as
a whole. It aims on adjusting inner system, boosting immunity, making inside an unsuitable for virus to exist.
A healthy lifestyle, like balanced diet, moderate exercise, helps keep liver in its best possible condition, which gives virus a minimum
chance of activating and causing damage. With the aid of Chinese herbal medicine, it is possible for a relatively healthier body to
coexist with HCV and eventually eradicate it.
In our clinic, hepatitis B and C are treated with herbal formulas in capsules pattern, containing dried herbal extracts manufactured by
SUN TEN PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. Those formulas are set up based on Dr Yu’s clinical experience. The recommended treatment
period is at least 18 months, though effects can be noted with weeks or months.
Please find more information at Dancing with viruses.
REFERENCES
1. Wang BE, Treatment of chronic liver diseases with traditional Chinese medicine, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2000;
15 Suppl(3): E67-70.
2. Gish R. California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco. Personal communication. 1996.
International, Hepatitis B viruses (HBV) and Hepatitis C viruses (HCV) have infected 520 million people worldwide. Chronic hepatitis B &
C are long-term hepatic infections, which could lead to fibrosis, cirrhosis, even liver cancer.
The incidence of HCV infection in the UK is about 0.1%, though it is much higher in other parts of the world. Chronic HCV infection
affects an estimated 170 million individuals worldwide, with most countries reporting a prevalence of 1.0% to 4.9%. Currently,
approximately 40% - 60% of chronic liver diseases are attributable to HCV. The UK Health Protection Agency's annual reports on HCV
estimates that in England and Wales:
- Around 4,500 people are suffering from severe liver disease due to chronic HCV infection, and this could rise to around 7,000
by 2010. - 200,000 people have chronic HCV infection, but five out of six are unaware of this.
- It is believed around 80% of UK HCV cases are linked to the use of injected drugs, and 45% of injecting drug users are infected
with HCV.
Hepatitis B is responsible for considerable morbidity and mortality. Each year, about 500,000 to 700,000 people worldwide die from
conditions related to HBV infection (WHO, 2004). Hepatitis B Foundation UK estimates that currently there are more than 325,000
people in the UK with chronic HBV infection. Given factors such as under-reporting, the figure could be even higher.
HBV and HCV infections are also prevalent throughout China, accounting for the increased cases of hepatocellular carcinoma among
Chinese population.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a rich history in treating chronic hepatitis, which can be traced back to thousands of years
ago. Studies have shown that herbal formulas can strengthen the immune system, reduce viral loads, prevent chronic viral hepatitis
from developing into even more serious conditions, like fibrosis, cirrhosis, or cancer, and protect liver from further degeneration. In a
summary of Chinese language publications, (1) it was reported that an open trial of 2,000 hepatitis (B or C) patients using various TCM
methods showed improvement of symptoms in 83% and normalization of serum ALT in 82%. In a controlled study of 107 patients with
hepatitis-B related diseases, before and after liver biopsies showed that the fibrosis reversal rate following 6 months treatment with
Compound 861 (a formula of ten herbs including salvia as a main ingredient) was 78% in stage 2, 82% in stage 3 (precirrhotic stage) and
75% in Stage 4 (early cirrhosis).
Patients with hepatitis B or hepatitis C usually approach practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine with the hope of finding an
alternative to the standard medical treatments. In addition, they usually hope to cure the disease. Anecdotal reports from one of the
largest Western medicine hepatology practices in San Francisco suggest that at least 20-30% of patients report use of Chinese herbal
medicine for hepatitis. (2) Also, Ninety percent of chronic hepatitis sufferers in Japan are taking herbal preparation, some 1.5 million
people.
Just like mosquitoes, instead of making water stop flowing, only find themselves a smooth surface of water to stay, bacteria only try
to find a place suits them to grow - some morbid tissue, rather than cause such a place, though they could make this place worse. It
is the same with virus. Conventional medicine solely focuses on eradicating virus itself, ignorant of the fact that it is a complicated
problem affects different systems. On the contrary, Chinese herbal medicine does not kill virus directly, in stead, it treats our body as
a whole. It aims on adjusting inner system, boosting immunity, making inside an unsuitable for virus to exist.
A healthy lifestyle, like balanced diet, moderate exercise, helps keep liver in its best possible condition, which gives virus a minimum
chance of activating and causing damage. With the aid of Chinese herbal medicine, it is possible for a relatively healthier body to
coexist with HCV and eventually eradicate it.
In our clinic, hepatitis B and C are treated with herbal formulas in capsules pattern, containing dried herbal extracts manufactured by
SUN TEN PHARMACEUTICAL CO., LTD. Those formulas are set up based on Dr Yu’s clinical experience. The recommended treatment
period is at least 18 months, though effects can be noted with weeks or months.
Please find more information at Dancing with viruses.
REFERENCES
1. Wang BE, Treatment of chronic liver diseases with traditional Chinese medicine, Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, 2000;
15 Suppl(3): E67-70.
2. Gish R. California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco. Personal communication. 1996.
Herbs & Acupuncture
Herbs and Hepatitis
© www.herbsacupuncture.co.uk 2005-2010.
Combined Natural Health Ltd. (CNH)
All Rights Reserved.
Combined Natural Health Ltd. (CNH)
All Rights Reserved.
21 Marsland Road, Sale,
Cheshire, M33 3HP, UK
Tel: 0044 161 9620855
Web: www.herbsacupuncture.co.uk
Email: clinic@herbsacupuncture.co.uk
Cheshire, M33 3HP, UK
Tel: 0044 161 9620855
Web: www.herbsacupuncture.co.uk
Email: clinic@herbsacupuncture.co.uk